What characteristic defines raster data compared to vector data?

Raster data is fundamentally defined by its structure, which uses a grid system of cells or pixels to represent geographic information. Each cell within the grid corresponds to a specific area on the ground and can hold a value representing a characteristic of that area, such as temperature, elevation, or land use. This pixel-based approach allows for a continuous representation of data over a landscape, making it well-suited for capturing phenomena that change gradually, such as elevation or satellite imagery.

In contrast, vector data represents geographic features through points, lines, and polygons, each defined by coordinates rather than a grid. This makes vector data more suitable for discrete features like roads, boundaries, and points of interest. Raster's reliance on a grid system is what enables it to efficiently handle large datasets, such as those used in remote sensing and environmental modeling.

Understanding this core difference between the two data representations is essential for selecting the appropriate type of data for various geographic analysis tasks.